A world-class business education in a single volume. Learn the universal principles behind every successful business, then use these ideas to make more money, get more done, and have more fun in your life and work.

Review: 'The Effective Executive' by Peter Drucker

When you’re in charge of a business, the most important job you have is not simply to ensure that “things get done” – it’s to ensure the right things get done, at the right time, and in the right way.

In The Effective Executive, you’ll learn that the role of leadership in every organization is to set clear priorities, focus the strengths of the people on those priorities, and make tough choices about what to do and what not to do in the face of uncertainty.

Drucker argues that every executive should have a standard, core set of personal skills: effective time management, clear communication, and the ability to make solid decisions based on the data available. These aren’t inborn abilities; they can only be developed through study and experience, and leaders should ensure that these skills are developed in subordinates through training and experience.

Each point is illustrated with several historical examples, so you'll really understand why each idea is important and how it looks in the real world.

You’ll see two more books by Drucker in the Personal MBA Reading List for a reason: they really are all they’re cracked up to be. Drucker's influence on the business world is so profound that you can find seeds of almost every other book on this list in material he wrote decades ago.

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A world-class business education in a single volume. Learn the universal principles behind every successful business, then use these ideas to make more money, get more done, and have more fun in your life and work.

About Josh Kaufman

Josh Kaufman is an acclaimed business, learning, and skill acquisition expert. He is the author of two international bestsellers: The Personal MBA and The First 20 Hours. Josh's research and writing have helped millions of people worldwide learn the fundamentals of modern business.

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The Personal MBA: Master The Art of Business is published by Portfolio, an imprint of Penguin/Random House. All excerpts from the book are published under agreement with the publisher. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed in any way without the express prior written permission of Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC.